QRZ in Morse Code

Daniel Reeves, Morse Code Editor & Radio Telegraphy Specialist
Written and reviewed by Daniel Reeves
Morse Code Editor & Radio Telegraphy Specialist ·

--.- .-. --..

"QRZ" is a genuine Q-code, and it asks a simple question: "Who is calling me?" An operator sends it after hearing a partial or unidentified call, inviting the calling station to identify itself. In Morse it reads --.- .-. --.. . As part of the standardized Q-code system used worldwide, QRZ lets operators handle the constant question of who's trying to reach them, even across language barriers.

Letter-by-Letter Breakdown

LetterMorseSound (di / dah)
Q--.-dah-dah-di-dah
R.-.di-dah-dit
Z--..dah-dah-di-dit

Three letters: Q is --.- (dash-dash-dot-dash), R is .-. (dot-dash-dot), and Z is --.. (dash-dash-dot-dot). The Q and Z both open with two dashes, so QRZ is fairly dash-heavy, with R's lighter dot-dash-dot providing contrast in the middle. The matching double-dash starts of Q and Z bookend the group with weight.

3 letters·11 signal elements·5 dots·6 dashes·~2.2 sec at 20 WPM

How to Send “QRZ” in Morse Code

An operator keys "QRZ?" when they catch only part of a call and need the caller to repeat their identification — common after calling CQ and getting a faint or overlapping reply. Q-codes like QRZ are efficient because each three-letter group replaces a whole question, and they're understood internationally regardless of the operators' spoken languages.

Type it

Enter "QRZ" in any Morse translator to see --.- .-. --.. appear instantly — the fastest way to check the pattern.

Tap it

Tap the rhythm on a hand or table: short taps for dots, longer presses for dashes, with a clear pause between letters.

Blink it

Signal it with your eyes or a subtle nod — quick for a dot, held for a dash — a silent way to pass "QRZ" across a room.

Flash it

Use a flashlight or phone light: a brief flash is a dot, a long flash is a dash. Press Play above to hear the timing first.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is "QRZ" in Morse code?+

"QRZ" in Morse code is --.- .-. --.. , spelling Q-R-Z. It's a Q-code meaning "Who is calling me?" — sent when an operator hears an unidentified or partial call and wants the calling station to identify itself.

What does QRZ mean in ham radio?+

QRZ means "Who is calling me?" Operators send it, often as "QRZ?", after detecting a call they couldn't fully copy, asking the caller to repeat their identification. It's one of many standardized Q-codes that pack a complete question or statement into three letters, understood by operators worldwide.

Is QRZ a real Q-code, unlike CQ?+

Yes. QRZ is a genuine member of the Q-code system — three letters beginning with Q, each standing for a set phrase. CQ, by contrast, only resembles a Q-code; it actually predates the system. So QRZ ("Who is calling me?") is a true Q-code, while CQ is older general-call shorthand.

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